Braidwood City Council candidates make their final pleas for your vote

Election day is less than one week away.

The race for City Council in Braidwood has been feisty in 2023, with all but one of the four seats on City Council hotly contested, in a race that has been fraught with social media bickering and deep public interest.

As of the start of this week, 132 voters had already cast their ballots during early voting at City Hall. Four years ago, the total voters in Braidwood reached more than 1,300, a high turnout versus the county’s overall turnout of just 13% in 2019.

This year looks to be no different.

Candidates for the mayor and commissioner seats were asked just three questions each by the Braidwood Journal, focusing on the role they are seeking and their plans for Braidwood’s future.

Candidate responses have not been edited with exceptions for obvious typos/misspellings.

Candidates are listed in the order that they appear on the ballot.

Election Day is April 4.

Mayor

Christopher Earley
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
The Mayor is the President of the Council, presides at its meetings, and supervises all department. The Mayor also reports to the council for its action on all matters requiring attention in any department. By law, the Mayor is also the Commissioner of Public Affairs. As such, the Mayor is a lobbyist for the city, interacting with other elected/appointed officials at all levels. This is especially important in areas such as grant writing and dealing with public policy as it may affect Braidwood.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
One of the most important things a city can do for its residents is to provide responsible growth by attracting more businesses though economic development. Sometimes incentives are necessary to do so, but spending millions of taxpayer dollars to buy and improve property and then literally giving it away is irresponsible. I favor infrastructure improvements which would not only be conducive to that growth but would benefit all taxpayers. In the last 4 years, Braidwood has not completed a single road project that would accomplish that goal. I plan to change that.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
With a fair and equitable distribution of city funds to the various departments, we can insure that vital infrastructure, such as roads and sidewalks, are properly developed and maintained while also targeting specific projects so as to make our community more attractive to both residential and family friendly commercial development. I believe an Economic Development director would also be beneficial to our city. In our age of constantly expanding technology, total transparency should be easy to achieve. Not only should hard copies of all documents, proposed ordinances, etc. be available at each council meeting, they should also be posted online along with all ordinances, minutes, department status reports and even the city checkbook ledger rather than continuing with the present practice of actually removing information from the city’s website. I want the public to be totally informed regarding all aspects of city business.

Douglas Money
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
I am running for Mayor. By ordinance, my position is titled “Commissioner of Public Affairs.” It would be my duty to preside over City meetings and appoint administrative positions such as the City Clerk and City Administrator who handle the day to day operations within City Hall, and the Chief of Police to oversee the Police Department.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
My top priority over the next four years is to expand commerce within the city while maintaining the City’s budget, thereby minimizing the risk to the resident’s property taxes.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
As previously mentioned, it’s been a goal for sometime to bring more business to this City. I believe our residential growth will mirror the expansion of businesses as more wholesome jobs become available at these businesses. I will be committed to transparency by ensuring business deals and development agreements are always available for inspection with ease via the city webpage, as well as making myself available to the citizens who wish to have more direct dialogue regarding City projects.

Matthew Beard
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
I am seeking the position of mayor. The mayor is the legal entity for the city. They also are the one responsible for supervising all departments and are also responsible for running the city council meetings.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
My number one goal for the next four years is to design a budget system that allows the city to grow financially while being able to set aside money to complete capital projects, maintain roads and maintain the city’s operations plants.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
The plan for long term commercial and residential growth would be to invite family friendly businesses to the community. If we could grow the commercial sector with businesses that are family friendly, we could gain a source of income while remaining appealing to families. Family friendly community, low property taxes and the excellent school system is a recipe for residential growth. Transparency would be maintained by keeping the public informed along the way. Holding town hall meetings if necessary and posting as much information online for viewing as possible.

Commissioner of Accounts and Finances

Karen Hart
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
The position of Commissioner of Accounts and Finance includes the oversight/supervision of the financial operations of the City. In this position, I will look forward to working closely with the other Commissioners and the City Administrator. I will assist in developing a budget for the City and will keep the Commissioners abreast of how they are managing to their own individual budgets.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
My first goal is to ensure that we have a balanced budget and will work collaboratively with the other Council members. I will work to make sure that all bills are paid in a timely manner and that any purchases that are made are ones that have been designated for in the budget. I will also work with other Council members and the Administrator to increase revenue to the City by bringing in new business and from the construction/addition of new homes. I will also search for other revenue sources, such as grants.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
In order to attract new business and new residents to Braidwood, we have to show that it is an attractive and safe place to do business in and to live in. Demonstrating that we are a fiscally responsible City will assist in making the city attractive to both business and new residences. I would develop a web site that we could utilize to share City business with residences. I would also bring to Braidwood things like bike trails, dog parks and parks that make the City an attractive place to live. Finally, I believe that the City of Braidwood is now heading in a positive direction and I believe that I can contribute to that positive growth by bringing a new perspective.

Sue Grygiel
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
Commissioner of Accounts & Finance oversees the work of the City Accountant. This commissioner serves as the Vice President of the city council in case of a vacancy or absence of the Mayor, then assumes the duties of the Mayor along with their Financial duties. Works closely with the Accountant in preparing Annual Budgets, Tax Levies, Annual Financial Statements of the city, reviews Monthly Expenditure Reports for all departments. The Annual Budget is a Guideline of Expenditures for all commissioners & department heads. Close to the Fiscal Year ending, review all departments budgets and if any department looks like they would be over budget at Year End, have a Council Work Meeting to discuss departments shortfalls and make budget amendments. Then have the Accountant prepare an Amended Budget for council approval. This way all departments budgets are in the black, eliminating Year End Deficits.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
Working very closely with the Mayor & Commissioners with upgrading the city’s infrastructure, new water lines- possibly larger in some areas, which we are in dire need of if we continue to bring in more businesses. Our city needs New Businesses, but we’ll lose out on them coming if we cannot support the infrastructure they need, which this administration hasn’t done in four years. We as a council need to work on repair or replacing our roads in town. This current council would not allow any resurfacing of roads for the last four years. The current administration has been saying our roads are in good shape. Some of them could very well be but in order to keep them in good shape they need to be maintained, like putting shoulder stone down to keep sides from eroding away, digging out larger potholes and patching, all of which no funds have been allocated to do this work. Updated infrastructure is vital to bringing in New Businesses and more homes to our town. I want to get back to an Open Government!

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
Our Business District on Main St. needs a definite facelift. During my term I had a proposed strip mall going in where Mayor Rulien built the Family Dollar store. I had Local businesses going in the strip mall along with a new Bar & Grill Restaurant with outdoor seating. I initiated the process of enlarging the footprint of Casey’s, and the property behind Casey’s that the city purchased during my term with TIF dollars, which the current administration surplused, why and for how much? Berkots was planning to relocate behind Casey’s and the vacant Berkots would be a Braidwood Community Center. My hope is that we, the new incoming city council can accomplish some of the ideas that were in place before I left office. Another commercial area needing a major facelift is the old Good Table Restaurant on Coal City Road that’s been sitting vacant for too many years. This building is an eyesore when coming off the highway, a perfect location for a TIF Redevelopment Agreement for an established Restaurant chain. All projects, ideas for growth will be openly discussed at council meetings & input from residents will be addressed under Public Comment without ridicule and copies will be made available to residents at the Council Meeting or online to view.

Commissioner of Public Property

Jeffrey Saltzman
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
The Commissioner of Public Property is responsible for the management of the physical buildings, structures, and parcels of land. They also oversee water and waste treatment plant employees. My role on the council will be to advocate and promote proactive maintenance of all city properties. I will accomplish that by respectfully listening to the city employees charged with operating our water and waste treatment assets and acting on it.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
My top strategic goal is to try to relieve some of the tax burden on our citizens by doing a deep dive into federal and state municipal grants. I have already reached out to our 3 state representatives and senator and will ask for assistance and direction in applying for all state grants and money for which we may qualify. I’ve investigated the federal grant database and we are eligible for municipal grants if we apply accordingly.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
My plan for long term commercial and residential growth is to support all infrastructure projects. To attract new businesses and residents, we must properly maintain our facilities, water and sewer lines, public properties, and roads. I am championing a new city web presence. All bids, documents, agendas, meeting notes and city check book will be available on-line, complete transparency. I will ask that we create open committees to include any resident interested in having input on large projects and purchases when feasible.

Warren Wietting
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
The position of Commissioner of Public Properties role is to supervise the conduct of the water and sanitary sewer department, all real estate, including the City Hall, and personal property which is not used by a specific department.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
To complete the comprehensive plan for the ongoing upgrades with the sewer plant and wells. The SCADA System Implementation and the wells upcoming maintenance. As well as the priority infrastructure repairs and upgrades needed.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
To maintain and develop the infrastructure of the city of Braidwood, Transparency comes with honesty, whatever is done should be made available to the public with easy access to that information.

Commissioner of Public Health and Safety

James Mikel
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
Supervise the conduct and operations of the Police Department, Emergency dispatching and telecommunications, code enforcement, Animal Control, and Health Regulations.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
Continue to maintain a safe community, work hand and hand with the Chief Lyons, our police department is doing a fantastic job. They are well liked in our community. All I hear are positive things.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
To work with the Mayor and City Council to continue to improve our town, continue to do what we are doing, keep it a small town feeling and bring in some new business, we have to keep moving forward.

Commissioner of Streets and Public Improvements

James Vehrs
At press time, candidate Vehrs had not responded to the candidate questionnaire from the Braidwood Journal.

Dale Walsh
In your own words, define the position that you are seeking. What is the role of the position on the council?
The Commissioner of Streets & Public Improvements is the Superintendent of the street department including alleys, sidewalks, drainage and storm sewer system. I would also be co-commissioner of the public works department.

What is your number one top strategic goal for the city of Braidwood over the next four years?
I will work with the street department to continue making Braidwood a welcoming city for its residents, business and travelers.

What is your plan for long term commercial and residential growth in Braidwood, and how will you remain transparent while implementing those plans and efforts while in office?
Commercial & residential growth is currently underway in Braidwood. I plan to be part of this positive trend with the goal of keeping city taxes at a minimum. Along with live streaming of the City Council meetings, I plan to update residents on the Street Department progress at Council Meetings and online.